NRL Tackle: All the likes and dislikes from Round 20 of the NRL 2020
Few in the NRL are held in higher regard than Craig Bellamy. But not everyone was impressed with his coaching against the Dragons. Did he go too far? See all the likes and dislikes from a massive Round 20.
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Our rugby league writers reveal what caught their eye — good and bad — in Round 20 of the NRL.
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DRAGONS v STORM
LIKE: If you haven’t already joined the cult following of Brandon Smith, it’s not too late. There’s a lot to like about the New Zealand international, who gives it his absolute all every time he takes to the field. He was handed the No. 9 jumper against the Dragons on Sunday in the absence of captain Cameron Smith and again showed his potential from dummy-half. Smith ran for 160m and recorded 32 tackles in a 63-minute stint. Brandon is a strong contender for the starting position when Cameron calls time on his career, however he’ll be in a battle with Wests Tigers loanee Harry Grant, who will rejoin the Storm next season.
DISLIKE: Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy decided to play with just 12 men for the final five minutes because he didn’t want to risk any injuries. With Brandon Smith the only fit man left on the bench, Bellamy instructed his side to play a man short because he wanted to give his hooker a break. At the time, the Storm were within one try of the Dragons and it cost them a shot of victory. They had already secured second place but surely that’s against the spirit of the game. Bellamy also decided to rest 12 players for the final game of the regular
season, meaning fans didn’t get the chance to see some of the best players in the competition.
Fox Sports key stats: This was just a second loss for Melbourne in 14 games since Round 7. Cam Smith and Cam Munster (among others) did not play in either loss. It is also the Storm’s first loss against a team outside the top five this season.
Dragons’ NSW Origin contender Cameron McInnes did his selection case no harm, setting up two tries, making 42 tackles without missing, and running for almost 120m.
– Michael Blok
WARRIORS v SEA EAGLES
LIKE: What can you write that hasn’t already been said about the Warriors? They’ve done more for the game than we will ever truly appreciate and it was great to see them rewarded with a big win in front of their adopted home fans. The haka for Adam Blair brought chills to everyone at the ground, while NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo delivered a ‘thank you’ speech on behalf of every rugby league fan in Australia. They may not be the finished product yet, but everyone will be secretly cheering for them in 2021 as they look to build on an incredible year that could have spiralled out of control. That first beer back home will only be topped by the first dinner with the family.
DISLIKE: Des Hasler-coached teams have one thing in common — stingy defence. What the Sea Eagles produced in 2020 was anything but. They leaked points like there was no tomorrow and, as a result, there is no tomorrow in their season. They went within minutes of making the preliminary final last year but now must revamp their roster to be competitive in 2021. And while they aren’t the only guilty party, it was great to see a referee penalise them for being offside at the kick-off. It’s a minor thing, but it should be policed more vigilantly.
Fox Sports key stats: This is only the third time a Hasler-coached side has conceded on average more than 25 points per game in a season — his worst since his first two seasons.
Since round 12, Manly conceded 182 first-half points — over 20 per game.
– Martin Gabor
TIGERS V EELS
Like: Parramatta’s offloads. If the Eels have any chance of upsetting the Storm in week one of the finals, they’ve got to chance their arm and move the ball around. That’s what they did well against the Wests Tigers on Saturday night, especially with their offloads. They totalled 14 offloads in the match – most coming in the first half. There were two offloads by prop Junior Paulo that proved decisive with his passing leading to crucial tries. And then Andrew Davey joined the party with an offload to assist Maika Sivo for another four-pointer. The Parramatta big men run hard but they also know how to ball play – something they’ll need to use in the finals.
Dislike: Parramatta’s erratic kicking. The Eels playmakers have become trigger happy with placing kicks when on the attack. On multiple occasions when an opportunity opened up or a break was made, an Eel would toe the ball forward in hope of a try. If a kick is there to be made, sure, pull the trigger, but it’s OK to be patient if it’s a low-percentage play. Sometimes it’s better to take the tackle and wait for the right opportunity.
Fox Sports key stats: Parramatta’s first back-to-back wins since round 13. The Tigers’ 13th loss of the season to finish outside of the finals for the ninth straight season.
– Michael Blok
Like: Both Canberra and Melbourne copped flak for resting a number of high-profile stars, but how can you begrudge them when they produce the sort of 80 minutes the Raiders did on Saturday? Ricky Stuart said he was more motivated than ever to trust in his younger players after he was questioned about his selections, and his faith was rewarded by 17 men who were determined to do the jersey proud. From the rookies who will cherish that game for the rest of their lives to the veteran halves who have been starved of any footy in 2020, this was a night that will live long in Canberra folklore and proved good things come to those who wait.
Dislike: Both coaches agreed that reviewing the video of this game would be a pointless exercise leading into the finals. But if you’re John Morris, the first hour of the next study session should be on catching kick-offs. The westerly winds at Kogarah made life tricky for both teams, but the Sharks were diabolical at times, allowing three restarts to bounce. All of those resulted in line dropouts, with the third leading to a Canberra try after they pounced on a short restart. Morris described them as “coach killers” and it’s something they must address in the finals as they can ruin momentum in the blink of an eye.
Fox Sports key stats: Canberra’s highest score of the season, but equal second most conceded. Cronulla finish the season with a 10-10 record and back-to-back 50 per cent regular seasons.
– Martin Gabor
BULLDOGS V PANTHERS
Like: The form of Jarome Luai. He didn’t have his usual big man inside him in the rested Viliame Kikau but still caused chaos on the Panthers left edge. Luai laid on three tries and the two players either side of him in Kurt Capewell and Brent Naden scored a double. While teams may be focusing on stopping Nathan Cleary and Api Koroisau, it is giving Luai plenty of opportunity to make a dent. He is in sublime form heading into the finals.
Dislike: Poor old Aiden Tolman deserved better than to end his 10 seasons at the Bulldogs by limping off in the warm-up. The veteran prop couldn’t take to the field in what was his final game in Canterbury colours. Tolman has vowed to play on next year with the 31-year-old wanting to extend his career. Tolman wasn’t the only hard luck story for Canterbury. Winger Jayden Okunbor will miss the start of next season after rupturing his ACL.
Fox Sports key stats: Penrith’s 15 wins is the longest streak heading into the finals since the Roosters won 19 straight in 1975 – they lost their first finals match that season. Canterbury won just three of 20 games this season – their fewest wins in a season since winning just one game in 1964.
– Michael Carayannis
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RABBITOHS V ROOSTERS
Like: Cody Walker, who plays rugby league exactly as the game was meant to be taken on. In Walker, you can see that game you fell in love with as a kid. There’s a fun to it all. An innocence. Unfortunately in these modern days of athletes, structures, block plays and completions, that heartbeat of what footy is — at its core, a game — gets lost. But not with Walker. Outstanding against the reigning premier Roosters, Walker scored tries, set them up and generally looked every inch that kid starring among his mates.
Dislike: No crowd. Like a pie without sauce, or any day without a Johnny Cash song, there is something terribly wrong with NRL blockbusters devoid of a massive crowd. And, yes, we get why it has to happen right now. But still, this game deserved countless Souths fans going berko inside ANZ Stadium rather than over Facebook and Twitter. Will be interesting to see how the finals and Origin feel in these crazy times.
Fox Sports key stats: South Sydney’s most points and biggest win over the Roosters. Trent Robinson’s Roosters completed just 68 per cent of their sets and missed 34 tackles. All six of the Roosters’ losses this season have come with their six worst completion rates.
– Nick Walshaw
TITANS V KNIGHTS
Like: AJ Brimson is the NRL’s most exciting player to watch. Brimson has been a revelation in the back half of the season after overcoming a fractured spine. He produced two remarkable tries in the Gold Coast’s demolition of Newcastle, showcasing his insane speed, footwork and strength. First, Brimson beat Knights No. 1 Kalyn Ponga with his burning pace and raced 95m in a spectacular solo effort that set Cbus Super Stadium alight. He then beat five Knights defenders close to the line with his footwork and change of direction to prove he is a superstar in the making. Few players possess the physical ability of Brimson and he has a huge career in front of him.
Dislike: The alleged racial abuse of Titans utility Tyrone Peachey is a poor look for the game. Peachey alleged that Newcastle forward Mitchell Barnett called him a derogatory name late in the encounter. The NRL has worked tirelessly to stamp racism out of the game and Barnett should receive a harsh penalty if the allegations are proven. It was a terrible night for Newcastle all around as they were flogged by a bottom eight team. The Knights’ form has been scratchy and they will do nothing but make up the numbers in the finals with that type of performance.
Fox Sports key stats: Gold Coast fullback AJ Brimson scored two tries, ran for over 200 metres and busted eight tackles in a unanimous points decision over Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga. The Knights missed almost 30 tackles and completed just over 70 per cent of their sets.
– Travis Meyn
BRONCOS V COWBOYS
Like: Cowboys young gun Scott Drinkwater has shown signs of becoming an elite NRL playmaker and he can be the perfect foil for skipper Michael Morgan next season. The 23-year-old produced some sublime touches to dismantle the Broncos. Drinkwater ran for 120 metres and amassed three try assists, including a superb cut-out pass for the Kyle Feldt try which buried the Broncos. Morgan has had a wretched past two years battling injuries but if the Cowboys’ $5 million man can stay fit next year, he will have a dangerous right-hand man in Drinkwater, who doesn’t lack confidence and is prepared to back himself under pressure.
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Dislike: Brisbane’s next coach has to start by ripping the Broncos’ defensive systems apart. Brisbane’s defence this year has been a disgrace. For the first time in the club’s 32-year history, the Broncos conceded more than 600 points in a single campaign. The Cowboys finished in the bottom four yet again but even they had little trouble finding holes in midfield and on the edges. Brisbane’s tryline efforts reflect attitudinal problems and their inability to number up on the edges is shambolic. To offload the wooden spoon next year, the Broncos need to get some mongrel in defence.
Fox Sports key stats: Brisbane’s first wooden spoon caps off their worst ever season. North Queensland’s sixth win from 17 games against the Broncos at Suncorp – biggest win against them in Brisbane since 2006.
– Peter Badel